Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5

I think that aftermarket exhaust unit will soon be replaced on FLA12804 with an Ansa F1 Sport, the latter running off free-flow headers and properly tuned and jetted Weber 44 DCNF carbs has a deeper bassy V12 symphonic sound, once described to me by a man who built engines at Sant Agata as 'Basso Supremo'.

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Azzuro beauty, Downdraft in a rare color

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88.5 Downdraft UK-registered F 920 OYR is chassis number ZA9C005A0JLA12399, first UK-registered on August the 1st, 1988.

I remember Portman Lamborghini's Mike Perry driving this one when it was new, still looks basically the same today

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Downdraft JLA12309 and the ultimate Convoy with Diablo SE30 and Murcielago SV from Italy to England!

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AutoCapital Magazine, March 1985, this is a very early Downdraft, quite possibly FLA12835

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It's actually a red interior, per FLA12835.

This is one of two Downdrafts featured in the official factory Countach Quattrovalvole brochure, attached.

Interestingly, in addition full technical specification, the brochure documents the factory's official stated terminal velocity for the Downdraft is 183.305 (electronically timed @ Nardo), a time which appears to have been easily exceeded by German testers adept at testing. Auto Motor & Sport magazine timed the Downdraft in their electronic test of 185 mph in April 1985, and Road & Track's Hans-Jurgen Tucherer electronically timed it at 188 mph that same year.

It's worth noting that both this and the factory 1985 Geneva Salon Press Release for the Countach Quattrovalvole make no mention of the Fuelie variant. The brochure is actually a fine collectible literature piece with useful infirmation, considering that Lamborghini did not focus very much on PR

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Downdraft HLA12093 in all it's Blu Acapulco/Panna beauty recently, can anyone confirm if the gentleman has owned it from new?

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One more, sublime

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My mistake, yes indeed, this Downdraft does have a white interior

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New Pirelli Cinturato P7 test report to come soon

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One thing I should point out is that we are archiving the various proper tests of the Downdraft by going back in time with the principals involved.

We are talking about the factory's the 183 mph test, Auto and Motor Sport test of 185 mph and the R&T test at 188 mph. We'll also review the 191 mph (mean two-way average) Fast Lane test.

The main point is not to establish that the Downdraft was fast, but to note the reasons for the variances.

Test drivers, timers, tire engineers and mechanical engineers are involved.

We are learning the variances are due (but not limited to) altitude of test track location, humidity, wind speed (the reason for VMAX runs done twice in opposite directions and averaged), road or track gradient, road surfaces (asphalt versus concrete results in different rolling resistance, bumpy or smooth), weight of occupants, fuel load, tire PSI (higher PSI increases OA tire diameter making higher VMAX and this one mattered in the Fast Lane test), tire tread wear at point of test, mechanical sympathy (test car allowed to use max revs @ red-line limits or privateer car with limits set, as Raymond states, get a Downdraft up from the 7,300 or 7,400 rpms up to 7,800 and 190 mph is possible), and last but not least, the driver (professional or amateur, familiar or not) which can make a big difference.

I think this will make for a great published piece as well as a short film

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You'll note from the post above that some Downdraft's output was measured with the same restrictive headers used on the USA Fuelies

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COUNTACH TO FEATURE ON NEW GRAND TOUR EPISODE

This morning I received an email from Paul S in Scotland telling me his Downdraft GLA12923 "will be on series three of the Grand Tour Season 3 broadcast this fall. We did a fake birthday party for Jeremy Clarkson and I had the car up North of Scotland for that. He was lovely and loved the car. What he says on the voiceovers may be different!"

He goes on to say of his beloved Downdraft: "it is such a lovely old banger and still makes me smile every-time I look at it and drive it"

Love that, and the camaraderie between owners.

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I understand this position and it's probably for the best, however my viewpoint is that anytime one of the two Fuelie owners comes on here and starts complaining about the Downdraft's relative specification, it presents an opportunity for us to discuss the attributes of the Downdraft in a constructive manner using fact-based material, essentially making the Downdraft look better, so it's good either way.

That said, I have made a mental note to self: never tell a Moderator "go ahead and ban me"

Back on topic, caption this one: Downdraft spotting in the South of France

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